To download the certificate of analysis, please indicate your lot number below :Lot Number

Medium Performance

Simple, fast and reliable tool for the direct detection of VRE strains with transmissible resistance: this is a precious help in the implementation of the appropriate control measures to prevent the spread of VRE.

Intense colony colours: in the new CHROMagar™ VRE media, VRE. faecalis and VRE. faecium strains are easily distinguishable by the colony colour. In the contrary, in the Classical agar for the detection of VRE (Bile Esculine Agar supplemented with vancomycin), there is no differenciation between E. faecalis/E. faecium and the other enterococci; it often leads to false positives of other esculine hydrolising bacteria (like lactococcus, pediococcus,…); the black “cloud” makes plate reading difficult as well as the choice of the proper colony for further confirmatory tests.

Flexibility: CHROMagar™ VRE is supplied with a shelf-life of about 2 years. This allows for flexibility of use, whether in an epidemic situation with many patients to screen, or whether for random surveillance of cultures.

Medium Description

Gain flexibility using powder rather than ready to use plates:Use the entire pack, or just a portion if there is a need for a smaller number of plates. If kept under appropriate storage temperature, CHROMagar VRE has a 2 years shelf of life. This flexibility is essential to avoid the waste resulting from expired-unused plates.

In the USA: For Research Use OnlyPlease refer to our notice and Material Safety data sheet for complete information about the medium. CHROMagar™, Rambach™, AquaCHROM™ are trademarks created by Dr. A. Rambach. Last Update: 26-Oct-2017

Focus on VRE

There are two types of vancomycin resistance in enterococci. The first type is intrinsic resistance (mostly vanC type but also vanD, vanE, vanF etc) found in E. gallinarum and E. casseliflavus/E. flavescens and demonstrates a low-level resistance to vancomycin. The second type of vancomycin resistance in enterococci is acquired resistance (vanA & vanB types), mostly seen in E. faecium and E. faecalis.

Therefore, to avoid the spread of this resistance to more virulent pathogens (S.aureus, for instance) it is crucial to promptly detect the presence of any of these two species in the patient, and accurately differentiate them from other Enterococci.

VRE Epidemiologic Issues

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) infections are especially aggressive and have been associated with mortaliity rates approaching 60% to 70%.

“Knowledge of the type of resistance is critical for infection control purposes. vanA and vanB genes are transferable and can spread from organism to organism. In contrast, vanC genes are not transferable, have been associated less commonly with serious infections, and have not been associated with outbreaks” – from CDC guidelines

Evaluation of CHROMagar compared with enterococcosel broth for the isolation of vancomycin resistant enterococci